This weekend’s opening of Tartuffe was a huge success! Congrats to the cast and crew for all of their hard work.

We shift gears a bit this week, and with the exception of a Tartuffe performance this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., it’s all about Two Gentlemen of Verona as we prepare to open our second Mainstage show of the season this Friday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Love and Friendship are at odds in William Shakespeare’s youthful comedy about jealousy and the fickle nature of love.

Set in the sock-hopping 1950’s, Two Gents follows the escapades of best friends Proteus and Valentine who find themselves without restraints or rules at the Duke’s Court in Milan. Back home Proteus pledged his love to Julia but forgets his vow when he meets the Duke’s daughter Sylvia, who is secretly engaged to Valentine. With a bit of treachery, some boys behaving badly, a band of silly outlaws, two clowns, and one loveable dog Two Gentlemen of Verona pokes fun at friendship, falling in love and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Camden Brown and Christopher Allen Valentine and Proteus
photo by Aaron Flacke

Catherine Weidner comes to Monmouth for her first season to direct. No stranger to comedy or Shakespeare, she trained at Second City in Chicago, wrote for the Late Show with David Letterman, and spent 10 years at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Weidner says, “Growing up hasn’t changed much in 400 years, and Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona is still relevant and more importantly, still funny after all these years.” Two Gents features Christopher Allen as Proteus, Camden Brown as Valentine, Olivia Dustman as Julia, Ambien Mitchell as Sylvia, Dustin Tucker as Launce, and Minnie as Crab the Dog. The cast also includes: Mark S. Cartier, Brooke Edwards, James Noel Hoban, Thomas Anthony Quinn, Bill Van Horn, and Max Waszak. Set design by Dan Bilodeau, costumes by Jonna Klaiber, sound by Rew Tippen, and lights by Lynne Chase.

Evening performances
July 12, 13, 14, 21, August 9, 14 & 17 at 7:30 p.m.;
July 15 & August 12 at 7 p.m.;
Matinee performances
July 22, August 1 & 4 at 1:00 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $10-$28. For calendar and reservations, please contact the TAM Box Office at 207.933.9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.